New business launched in Knockanore

DUNGARVAN OBSERVER | Friday, 11 June, 2021 

ComfortClothing Trouble sourcing suitable post-surgery clothing for her Dad motivated local woman start a business that serves those with limited movement

THIS week was a busy one at Dromana House & Gardens in Cappoquin which was the location for a photoshoot for new business established by Monica Murphy in Knockanore. Having struggled to source suitable clothing for her Dad after his hip replacement, Murphy set about establishing a business from her home. Despite delays in 2020 due to Covid-19, she persevered and is thrilled to finally be able to bring her first collection of clothes to market.

“Establishing a new business in the midst of recurring lockdowns is challenging,” said Murphy, founder of ComfortClothing, “trying to source suppliers, agree patterns, designs and quantities was all done via zoom or WhatsApp, so it makes it even more special now that we are finally in a position to launch the site in mid-June.

“BADLY NEEDED”

Murphy explains: “The idea behind it is to make fashionable, practical and easy to get on and off clothes and useful accessories for people who may not have the same faculties as they once did (even temporarily), and to have them available from Ireland so there’s no 3 or 4 week delay. You can also pick up the phone and speak to someone about your needs so our service will be very personal”.

Murphy did her homework -
One of the first people she reached out to was Prof. Niall Tubridy from St.Vincent’s Hospital. “I had read his book a few years ago and was fascinated by all the neurological issues that he sees” she says “so I googled him, sent him an email with my idea and was gobsmacked when he called me back a few weeks later to say he thought that it was ‘badly needed’ in Ireland. “I see people of all ages who have been diagnosed with MS, MND, Parkinson’s Disease and of course dementia. These people want to live their lives as independently as possible for as long as possible” said Tubridy.
She also reached out to people in MS Ireland who kindly asked their members what kind of products they would like to see more easily available. “It was then a case of sketching designs and trawling the internet to find suppliers that could offer a quality product – once I found two potential suppliers and began to see samples, things started to get exciting and real” says Murphy.

The clothes are designed and manufactured for
1. Ease of dressing (using Velcro magnets zippers)
2. Durable and washable in a regular wash so low maintenance
3. With secret pockets built for medication and/or personal alarm
4. Fashionable, colourful designs so people don't feel confined to lounge wear in plain colours
5. Weather/season appropriate
6. Affordable and accessible with online transparent customer service.

We would like to thank Dromana house and gardens, Cappoquin for the use their estate for the photoshoot.
Website will launch www.comfortclothing.ie for: mid-June:

For more information, please contact –
Monica Murphy 086 - 6012479
monica@comfortclothing.ie